Blog

I have a website! After the madness of Pride and recent travels I took the summer off to recharge my creative juices and relax my stage weary brain.

I’ve got a few things upcoming that are exciting and some future plans to work on. Mama’s gotta keep busy! At the end of September I’m helping Rae Spoon launch their first book through the Crush Project! A couple weeks ago I was part of a fantastic show relaunching the return of Stephen Eyes show, the first of which was titled “Eyes on Queen West”. For photos of the night check here on Facebook and don’t miss the next one!

I’ve got some collaborations with some fantastically brilliant and creative folks, and can’t wait for something to actually come of it. I’ve been talking about some of these partnerships for years so I’m so glad the ball is actually rolling.

Gay Christmas is exhausting. So far I’ve been able to hit up Winnipeg, Oshawa & Thunder Bay. Up next is the busiest of them all…Toronto!

Here’s some events I’m either organizing, performing at, or just excited to go to:

Friday June 22nd – I love hip hop & I love queers, so together it’s a night I can’t miss. Work It! at Buddies is the first show presented by the fantastic MC Jazz, who I love enough to challenge her gf to become her biggest fan. With so many performances, a great DJ, dancers & a rap battle this is going to be a great night.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre – 9pm, $7 (free before 9pm!)

Tuesday June 26th – It’s my birthday! To celebrate I’m throwing The Crush Project presents CHAFE. When I heard UK fat activist Charlotte Cooper would be in town I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to host the after party for her panel discussion “The Queerness of Fat Activism”. So I’ve gathered some friends and we’re gonna have a party in the Ballroom!
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom – 9pm, $5-10 sliding scale

Wednesday June 27th – I like gay things so when I was asked to participate in a show called The Gayest Show on Earth, how could I resist?!?! Vancouver comedian Darcy Michael is coming to town & Fluffy gets to perform with some hilarious comedians, the Queer Comedy Collective, and her sister Fay Slift!!!
Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – 9pm, $20 in advance

Thursday June 28th – There are several things I’m excited about this night and luckily they’re all under the same roof! It’s the opening reception for That’s So Gay, the Gladstone’s 3rd Annual Pride Exhibition and lots of good friends are showing work. On the second floor is the opening of 10×10. Thanks to Renee Navarro there’s a great photos of me & Fluffy. There are 10 photographers & 100 photos of queers in the arts & that means I get to look at SO MANY beautiful faces of friends. After the openings it’s time to dress up for Steers & Queers: Night of 1,000 Dollys. Last year’s S&Q was so fun but the Dakota is WAY too small to hold in that much Dolly love. I’m thrilled we get to host it in the Ballroom like the old days of queer dance parties like Foxhole.
That’s So Gay: 3rd & 4th Floor Galleries, 7-10pm, FREE
10×10: 2nd Floor Gallery, 7-10pm, FREE
Steers & Queers: Ballroom, 10pm, $10 ($8 in advance)

Friday June 29th – I’m finally leaving the Gladstone and going SO FAR down the street to the Beaver! Fluffy is making her DJing debut at WMST and celebrating feminism and homotastic good times! Take yer trans or trans ally ass to Church Street then party hard with us after!
Beaver Cafe – 10pm, pwyc

Saturday June 30th – I have no idea what I’ll be wearing to Hotnuts but I can’t wait. I had such a blast at the last one, I’m looking forward to this one even more. With a performance by Christeene, it’s going to a party people are talking about afterwards so I don’t want to miss it.
Garrison – 10pm, $10 advance, $12 at the door

Sunday July 1st – I plan on spending most of the day celebrating our own West End Pride at Trinity Bellwoods Park. Relaxin. I do however have to haul ass across town for Fluffy to perform on the North Stage at 3:35pm. Got it? 3:35pm for ten minutes. Then it’s back to the park!

Sunday July 1st – Isn’t Pride over yet? Hell no, now it’s time for the biggest party of the year! VAZ/Shame Party at Wrongbar with Limp Wrist & this year’s fave band Vag Halen. Money for Will Munro’s cancer fund, the biggest west end party & stumbling around the corner home at the end of the night. Perfection.
Wrongbar – 10pm, $15

And here’s a short blast of other shows/events I plan to/hope to make an appearance at:
Thurs June 21st – Shawn Hitchins Fire(crotch) Sale – with special guest Andrya Duff
Buddies in Bad Times, 8pm

The Darling of Parkdale, Miss Fluffy Souffle has an opportunity to continue her takeover of Canada and travel to the far-off land of Winnipeg to host Steers & Queers.

You know Winnipeg needs some Fluffy, just like Fluffy needs to get ‘Pegged. You can help make it happen!

The event is FREE! Money will come from bar sales (so drink your precious little faces off), a portion of a shot special, limited edition Fluffy Souffle buttons, a Fluffy dress-up station and whatever else we can think of to make this night a blast.

DJs Sigourney Beaver + Secret Agent will be playing your faves old + new all night long.

Ah the sweet smell of controversy. So the venue where I was supposed to perform on March 16th has pulled out of hosting because they didn’t want their regular clientele to feel uncomfortable. Hmm. This is a bar in my neighbourhood that makes me uncomfortable every time I walk past it on Friday and Saturday nights. Which, actually is rarely because I cross the street to avoid it. What also kills me is that they have this on their website:

“At The Parkdale Drink, we are committed to our clients, community and grassroots. Our dedicated team is devoted to our clients to ensure that every experience is gratifying and pleasurable. Our diversity is evident in our international dining and drink menus, clientele and our staff.”

What?!?!?! That is the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard! They are cancelling a queer event a week and a half before it’s supposed to happen. The event was part of the Fireside Festival where they intentionally put on events in some spaces that might not be the obvious choice. This is the second year that they were putting on a queer night. The owners seemed excited about the event. Not sure what changed it for them. I was skeptical about it, but willing to put my own judgements aside and go there with an open mind. Oh well. Glad they will not be receiving my hard earned queer dollars.

This is major exciting news! The exhibition that I curated of my own work along with May Brand has been given a grant to help with some of the costs!

The show already felt like such a success that this makes it over the top thrilling. So many people came out to support it.

If you missed it the show for me was about “performing” an art show. My artist character for the exhibition was a very serious and gracious host. I gave directions for the best way to appreciate the exhibition and was very engaging with all the guests. People loved the work and the experience. It was especially exciting to have some artists & members of the community who I admire come by including Christina Zeidler, Allyson Mitchell and Globe & Mail art critic RM Vaughn.

Many thanks to the Gladstone Hotel, A Space Gallery, and the Ontario Arts Council for their support. Can’t wait for the next one!

Friday Feb 3rdThe Pool – Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 10:30pm, $7
HIP HIP HOORAY!! Another Fantastic time frolicking in The POOL! We have a CRAZY talented lineup of performers who will be sure to heat up the coldest of February Friday nights! Come for a “dip” and stay to dance the night away! Daddy K & the Rhythm Method are doing a comeback performance and I’m DJing the dance party post-show.Facebook event!